Chapter 23 : Say It Again
Chapter 23: Say It Again
The air froze.
It’s over.
She saw it.
She clearly saw the emotion in Hera’s eyes.
She was going to die.
She was really going to die.
“M-Master…”
Lilia’s voice trembled uncontrollably; even her teeth were chattering.
She wanted to immediately kneel and kowtow to beg for mercy, but her body had already been completely locked down by that terrifying pressure—she couldn’t move even a single finger.
She could only stare helplessly at Hera.
Hera said nothing.
She simply looked at Lilia.
Anger.
Embarrassment.
And a trace of… panic that even she herself had not noticed.
How many years had it been?
She could no longer remember the last time she had fallen asleep so defenselessly.
Ever since ascending the throne, she had been the pillar of the Abyss.
She could not have any weaknesses, nor could she reveal any signs of fatigue.
Yet just now, she had been… by a mere toy, with a few clumsy massages, so easily…
And even worse, she had indulged in it.
Terrifying magic power began to gather around her.
Lilia’s Absolute Senses clearly captured this deadly fluctuation of energy.
She closed her eyes in despair.
However, the death she expected did not arrive.
A cold hand suddenly gripped her chin.
The force was strong, but not to the extent of crushing her bones.
Lilia was forced to open her eyes, meeting those golden pupils at close range.
Hera’s face was very, very close to hers.
So close that she could see her long, curled eyelashes, and smell that cold, unique scent on her body—like a pine forest after snowfall.
“You…”
Hera finally spoke.
“What did you call me just now?”
Lilia’s mind went blank.
What did she call her?
What had she said?
Right…
“I…I called you… Master…” Lilia used all her strength just to squeeze those words out of her throat.
Hera’s gaze grew even sharper, as if it could pierce through her soul.
“Say it again.”
These three words carried no emotion.
Yet Lilia heard within them an unquestionable command.
She did not dare resist, nor dare think.
Her instinct for survival made her almost subconsciously repeat that fatal whisper.
This time, her voice trembled even more, and became even more… humble.
“…My Master.”
The moment the words fell—
Through Absolute Senses, Lilia clearly felt Hera’s hand gripping her chin suddenly tighten.
Immediately after, there came an almost imperceptible, extremely slight tremor.
That tremor traveled from Hera’s fingers all the way to Lilia’s skin.
【Ding! Detected intense emotional fluctuation in the master Hera. Initiating Loyalty evaluation…】
【Ding! Loyalty +2!】
【Ding! Feminization Index +3!】
Lilia was completely stunned.
It… increased?
At a life-and-death moment where her neck could be snapped at any second, both Loyalty and Feminization Index were still rising?
Is there something wrong with this System?!
Hera’s gaze remained locked tightly on Lilia’s face.
She saw that stunningly beautiful face drained of all color from fear, those ruby-like eyes filled with terrified tears.
Pathetic. Pitiful.
Like a small animal frightened out of its wits.
And yet…
The killing intent was gradually fading.
In its place was a more complicated emotion—one that irritated her even more.
Hera abruptly released her hand.
As if throwing away something scalding, she stood up, turned around, and faced away from Lilia.
“Leave.”
Her voice returned to that coldness that kept others at a distance.
But Lilia keenly sensed that beneath that coldness… there seemed to be a little less killing intent, and a little more… something hurried and indescribable.
Lilia felt as if she had been granted a pardon.
She didn’t even bother to bow; scrambling to her feet, she stumbled toward the door.
Behind her, Hera remained facing away, completely motionless.
Only her hands, hanging at her sides, unconsciously clenched into fists.
It wasn’t until the bedroom doors shut behind her with a “click,” completely sealing off that suffocating pressure—
That Lilia’s legs gave out, and she collapsed against the cold corridor wall, gasping for breath.
She survived.
She actually… survived.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, as if it might leap out of her throat.
Cold sweat had already soaked through the thin maid outfit on her back.
She lowered her head, looking at her own hands.
Recalling Hera’s strange reaction at the end—that “Say it again,” that inexplicable tremor, and the System’s reward notification—
She opened the System panel.
【Passive Talent · Praying for the Master】: When you sincerely pray for the master’s safety, health, and happiness, there is a small chance to grant the master a “Good Luck” status (Note: The activation of this talent is closely tied to your Loyalty and Feminization Index).
Sincerely… pray for her?
Looking at those words, Lilia’s expression became extremely complicated.
She didn’t know what kind of feelings she truly held toward Hera.
Was it fear? Submission?
Or… during that ultimate act of service, had there quietly emerged a trace of that twisted sense of satisfaction?
She didn’t know.
She only knew that something between herself and that lofty Demon Queen had completely changed.
She could never go back.
Lilia lifted her head, looking at the tightly shut, ornate doors, as if she could still feel that scorching and complicated gaze from behind them.
Slowly, she raised her hand and pressed it against her still wildly beating heart.